兴利除弊 promote progress and eliminate ills
Explanation
兴办对国家人民有益利的事业，除去各种弊端。
To promote beneficial undertakings for the country and the people, and to eliminate various drawbacks.
Origin Story
话说北宋时期，王安石推行新法，改革弊政，遭到保守派官员司马光的强烈反对。司马光认为王安石的新法扰乱了社会秩序，加重了百姓的负担。王安石则据理力争，他认为旧有的制度已经腐朽不堪，严重阻碍了国家的发展，只有推行新法，兴利除弊，才能使国家强盛，百姓安居乐业。他以《均输法》、《青苗法》、《农田水利法》等新法为例，说明这些新法能够减轻农民负担，增加国家财政收入，改善民生，最终实现国家富强。司马光依旧坚持己见，认为这些新法会引发民怨，导致社会动荡。这场激烈的辩论，反映了北宋时期改革派和保守派之间的思想碰撞，也凸显了兴利除弊的必要性。尽管新法最终未能完全成功，但它体现了改革者勇于革新、为国家兴利除弊的决心。
During the Northern Song Dynasty, Wang Anshi implemented new laws to reform corrupt governance, but faced strong opposition from conservative officials like Sima Guang. Sima Guang argued that Wang Anshi's new laws disrupted social order and increased the burden on the people. Wang Anshi, however, strongly defended his position, arguing that the old systems were corrupt and seriously hindered national development. Only by implementing new laws that would promote progress and eliminate the ills could the nation prosper and the people live in peace. He cited the "Junshu Law", "Qingmiao Law", and "Agricultural Land Water Conservancy Law" as examples of laws that could reduce the burden on farmers, increase government revenue, and improve people's livelihood, ultimately leading to national prosperity. Sima Guang remained adamant, believing that these laws would lead to popular discontent and social unrest. This intense debate reflects the ideological clash between reformers and conservatives in the Northern Song Dynasty and highlights the necessity of promoting progress and eliminating ills. While the new laws were not ultimately fully successful, they demonstrated the reformers' courage to innovate and their determination to promote national progress and eliminate ills.
Usage
用于形容积极地进行改革，努力使国家和人民受益，同时清除各种弊端。
Used to describe the active implementation of reforms, striving to benefit the state and the people while simultaneously eliminating various drawbacks.
Examples
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他积极倡导改革，努力兴利除弊。
ta jiji changdao gaige, nuli xingli chubi.
He actively advocates for reform and works hard to promote progress and eliminate the drawbacks.
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政府正在努力兴利除弊，改善民生。
zhengfu zhengzai nuli xingli chubi, gaishan minsheng
The government is actively working to eliminate ills and improve people's livelihood.